Both the Bloomington and Indianapolis campuses offer, for regular and special education teachers, special education certification and master’s degree programs in the areas of learning disabilities, emotional handicaps, and mild mental handicaps. Non-education majors also may earn a basic teaching license with special education certification at both campuses. Only the Bloomington campus offers an option for special education teachers to earn an endorsement in the area of early childhood education. For certification information, see the chapter entitled “Licensure and Endorsement.” Master’s programs may be tailored to meet students’ specific needs and interests. Students typically complete this degree as a sequel to earning certification in one or more areas of specialization.

The master’s degree program on the Bloomington campus provides teachers and other practitioners with an opportunity to develop skills in teaching students who display problems in learning and behavior. The program offers teachers coursework for improving and broadening their teaching skills, and unlicensed teacher an opportunity to earn certification in the areas of learning disabilities (LD), mild mental handicaps (MiMH) and emotional handicaps (EH). The program offers courses in curriculum and assessment, teaching methods, personnel teaming and collaboration, assistive technology, and other aspects of special education.

Master’s degree programs in severe disabilities and transition planning are available only at IUPUI. Beginning Fall 2002, The Indiana University at IUPUI will offer “merged” certification in both “mild” and “intense” intervention. Eligible candidates must be certified teachers.

Admission to the master’s program in special education requires, in addition to meeting School of Education standards, an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 and one year of full-time professional experience with children or adolescents (preferably in teaching or applied practice). To earn a master’s degree in special education, students must complete a minimum of 36 credit hours. Depending on their interests and professional goals, students may specialize in teaching persons with learning disabilities, mild mental handicaps, emotional handicaps, or severe mental handicaps, or those in early childhood. Select from the following courses to complete at least 36 credit hours:

I. Special Education Core Courses (15 cr.)
K510 Assistive Technology in Special Education (3 cr.)
K522 Teaching Social Skills (3 cr.)
K525 Assessment & Instruction (3 cr.)
K541 Transition Across the Life Span (3 cr.)
K553 Classroom Management and Behavior Support (3 cr.)
K561 Curriculum and Methods for Students with Severe Disabilities I (3 cr.) IUPUI
K562 Curriculum and Methods for Students with Severe Disabilities II (3 cr.) IUPUI
K565 Collaboration and Service Delivery (3 cr.)
P: K553

II. Specialization Courses (9-12 cr.)
G573 Communication Skills and Interpersonal Relations in Counseling
K500 Topical Workshop in Special Education (variable title) (1-3 cr.)
K520 Survey of Behavioral Disorders (3 cr.)
K522 Teaching Social Skills (3 cr.)
K525 Assessment & Instruction (3 cr.)
K530 Medical and Physical Management of Students with Severe Disabilities (3 cr.)

IUPUI
K540 Early Education for Children with Disabilities (3 cr.)
K545 Management of the Severely Emotionally Disturbed (3 cr.) P: K553
K548 Families, School, and Society (3 cr.)
K549 Early Childhood Special Education Program Models (3 cr.)
K573 Communications Interventions for Persons with Severe Disabilities (3 cr.) IUPUI
K590 Independent Study in Special Education (3 cr.)
K595 Practicum in Special Education (3 cr.)
K599 Master’s Thesis in Education (6 cr.)

III. Electives (6-9 cr.)
In addition to the special education major courses, 6 to 9 credit hours of course work outside special education are required to complete the master’s degree. These courses, which must be approved by the student’s advisor, may be selected from courses offered within or outside the School of Education.

Special Education Assessment Matrix